Doha - QNA
Chairman of the Supreme Education Council Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani patronised the Education Excellence Day Ceremony (2010/2011), in attendance of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser. The ceremony was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani and a number of Their Excellences the Sheikhs and Ministers, as well as senior education officials and guardians of the honoured students. The ceremony began with recitation of verses from the holy Quran, then a speech by HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education and Secretary General of the Supreme Education Council Saad bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud where he welcomed HH the Heir Apparent and Chairman of the Supreme Education Council and the guests. HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education praised HH the Heir Apparent\'s role as a patron for the educational process. He asserted that HH the Heir Apparent\'s attendance constituted a generous reward in itself and a badge of honor for this comprehensive institution represented by the distinguished student, knowledgeable family, and efficient teacher. HE Al Mahmoud said in a statement during the ceremony, \"Today we celebrate the Education Excellence day with our excellent students for their outstanding performance offering their country such a merit\". HE stressed that this excellence is the \"inevitable\" outcome of the political support and faithful directives, the education receives in Qatar, the faith of believing the citizen is a \"genuine wealth.\" In his statement, HE Minister of Education cited the word of HH the emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani as saying \"Our vision was and -is still- based on the belief of investing in human beings that should come ahead our strategic options. Well investing in human efforts and enabling them with all means is the only path to cope with the major benefits in our society.\" HE commented that the word of HH the Emir is the clear evidence of believing that the real investment in the country is gearing up its fellows with religion, identity and a magnitude of knowledge in a competitive world based on excellence, and holistic knowledge in all fields.\" \"We are working with a scientific and professional clear approach, with a leadership pursuing our country s vision towards a holistic development and social welfare\" HE Al Mahmoud added. In recognition to the parents of the excellent students, HE said,\" On this stage, I have to hail your supportive families on their efforts helping us to reach our goal of setting you well that you reached such a level of excellence. I applaud as well your teachers and professors for their devotion and the faith they have in their message.\" At the end of his statement , HE Minister of Education asserted that the scientific break-throughs are achievable with the presence of \"strong motives\" and \"continuous support\". A documentary on educational excellence was shown then, after which HH the Heir apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani,Chairman of the Supreme Education Council distributed the prizes to the honorees. Dr. Mohammad bin Abdullaziz bin Saleh Al Kulaifi, Assistant Professor of Commercial law at Qatar University had a speech on behalf of the excellent students, greeting HH the Heir apparent and the audience and emphasizing the crucial role of both education and excellence in shaping the future. After the ceremony HH the Heir apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser met the honorees, congratulating them on their remarkable efforts and encouraged them for more to contribute to the enhance the country s development.(END) According to the prize criteria, high school award winners of level 1 receive a platinum medal and an excellence certificate along with a cash prize of 35,000 Riyals while distinguished students of level 2 receive a golden medal, an excellence certificate along with a cash prize of 25,000 Riyals. University distinguished alumni students of level 1 receive a platinum medal and an excellence certificate along with a cash prize of 45,000 Riyals whereas level 2 distinguished students receive a golden medal, an excellence certificate and a cash prize of 35,000 Riyals. Both PH.D. holders and distinguished teachers receive each of a platinum medal, an excellence certificate, and a cash prize of 60,000 Riyals. Distinguished schools receive a cash prize of 100,000 Riyals, an excellence certificate and a golden medal thus 50% of the prizes goes to the financial box of the school, and the other 50% goes to the administration and teaching staff. A distinguished research receives a golden medal, an excellence certificate, and a cash prize of 20,000 Riyals. The Excellence day Award, patronized by HH the Heir Apparent annually, is regarded as the highest academic honoring award given to distinguished individuals and educational institutions in Qatar. The Education excellence day aims at recognizing and honoring the distinguished Qatari students as well as emboldening the concepts of educational excellence, encouraging all individuals and educational institutes on improving their performances, spreading the spirit of innovation among the students, researchers, educational institutes as well as raising the spirit of competition among them